A contract with the state for the construction of downtown sidewalks was presented to the Salmon City Council August 3 by City Community Development Project Coordinator Mary Cerise.

She said the contract itself is very similar to a former arrangement between the city and state for last year’s pathway construction project. The city’s required contribution to the $140,000 project is $10,000. A $3,000 fee to be paid by the city is counted towards the $10,000 match and goes directly to the Idaho Transportation Department for its fund management and monitoring of the project. The money is coming from the federal government through a Community Choices for Idaho program.

She said the city will manage the engineering services and putting the project out for bid. Cerise said the project will hopefully start next Spring in advance of the busy season and that the sidewalks should be finished in time for the 2016 Salmon River Days Celebration.

The council voted unanimously to approve the contract with the state.

Next came the final documents pertaining to the Island Park Bridge.

Cerise said the documents have been reviewed numerous times and are to be used in the bidding process. She said all the items necessary for the bids are included and all changes have been addressed.

Cerise said the time has come for approval of the specifications and special provisions for contract documents as well as the plan set developed by Northwest Engineering Services of Salmon. Chris Park of Northwest introduced himself as the geotechnical engineer who did the soils report on the site proposed for the bridge. Park is also an engineer involved in the design and completion of the bridge project. He invited any questions the council might have.

Councilman and retired engineer Jim Baker has followed the review process closely and in answer to a question from Councilman Rob Jackson about the old bridge’s removal, Baker said it is felt that in the best interest of the project the contractor should take the old bridge.

Jackson remembered that the original plan was for city crews to take it down and salvage some of its value but Baker said in view of liabilities and values and getting the job done, having the contractor take on the responsibility was determined to be a better way to go.

Cerise added that finding a crane big enough for the bridge removal was another issue if removal was not under contract.

Baker made a motion to proceed with the engineering documents which include plans, a bid schedule and special provisions. The council unanimously agreed.